Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR)

The Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) was not only a convenient means to link up both coasts of Canada, nor was it just a feat of engineering. Rather, it was a symbol which gave insight into the potential of this great country, when we unite and persevere as a whole country to pursue a goal.

Origin
Sir John A. Macdonald (the first Canadian prime minister) had a vision, where the he could unite the land and its people. Despite the emerging Canadian identity, the huge physical gap which separated the east from the west didn't go unnoticed. In a bid to unite both sides of the country, Macdonald decided to build a railway which would do just that. At the time this idea seemed ridiculous and impossible, but Sir John A. Macdonald remained determined, and even used this idea as a major party platform (National Policy) during the election.

Controversy
Pros
-Increase more trade between both sides of Canada
-Unites west and east; gives people a sense of Canadian Identity
-Faster and more convenient transportation across Canada
-Increases Canadian presence in the West; protects against U.S. assimilation
-Creates more jobs
-Encouraged British Columbia to join Confederation

Cons
-Very expensive
-'Impossible' to complete
-Economic depression, 'would drive Canada to brink'

Outcome
Thanks to Macdonald's perseverance, and the efforts of Van Horne, who tackled the project, the railway was finally completed in the fall of 1885, which was five years ahead of schedule. Critics of the railway soon came to admire its convenience as the North West Rebellion broke out, and troops and supplies arrived in record time.


PROUD
The completion of this successful project serves as a reminder. A reminder that once, not so long ago. There was a man, a man with a dream. He dreamed of a country; a country like none other. A country where people, not Englishmen or Frenchmen, but people, could stand united underneath a common flag. In order to prove to his critics that he wasn't insane, and it was possible to achieve great goals under his idea, he decided to build a railway which stretched across this country, and united everyone. It served as a remainder that we are all connected as Canadians, and also served as an inspiration to all those naysayers, all those critics of the power of teamwork and determination who doubted. Where there's a will there's a way, and what better example than that of John A. Macdonald's steel determination and perseverance to build a railway which in words, streched 'from sea, to shining sea.'